All at Sea and Oceana

Our last day is at sea returning to Malta from where we fly home tomorrow. Despite the force 7 winds and 4 metre waves IB managed a swim in the morning but at times he was swimming up hill! Despite wind and cloud it was warm at 24c!

 We then listened to a talk about Iona - the new far too big P and O ship due in May next year. Interesting but definitely not for us!

We have really enjoyed the cruise and we thought we would post a few pictures of Oceana, which considering its age (19 years) is in amazing shape and must have been ahead of its time when launched!

The cabins are compact as are the balconies but perfectly adequate. We had seen reviews saying the air con was too loud but we did not agree!

We really liked the Atrium spanning four decks in the centre of the ship with its glass lifts!

We had dinner in the Ligurian Restaurant

and other meals in the self service Plaza which unusually was at the front of the ship which we really liked, especially as our cabin was forward. We were ideally situated near the lifts, Plaza and main pool!

We like walking the Promenade Deck and it was one of the best - all the way around and wide - 3.2 circuits to the mile.

There are two main outside pools, a smaller round splash pool aft and a kids pool

Night time lighting

There are two main entertainment venues, Starlights aft and Footlights Theatre at the front

Here below are some of the other venues

Card Room

Library

Library

At night the pool bar became a posh eatery - not popular!

  and finally at afternoon tea today we had the obligatory chocoholic spread!

We leave the ship at 10 am for our 12 40 pm flight tomorrow back to Gatwick

This post took a little too long as it was written in a most amazing electric storm with the lightning lighting up the sky, heavy rain with chunks of ice - satellite signal being constantly interrupted!

Souda Bay and Charnia

There were already two  Cruise Liners docked in Souda Bay as we arrived at around sun rise!

 MSC Lirica

Norwegian Jade

We had intended just to stroll around Souda Bay but we soon realised it was one shop and a small fishing harbour!

The shop!

The Fishing Harbour

So after a quick rethink we caught the local Astiko Ktel Chania  bus route 3 from the cruise terminal into Charnia  some 6 Kilometres from Souda Bay. Chania is according to P and O  'a charming old town and Crete's second largest resort town'.

Normally we would be the only passengers on an early bus but as Norwegian Jade was only in port until midday we had company both ways. The cost of the return ticket was 3.70 Euro each!

Traffic was fairly busy and the trip took 20 minutes and we then spent an enjoyable couple of  hours  exploring the town and harbour areas.

Municipal Market

Venetian Dockyards

 Boat fruit stall!

Saint Nicolas Church

 Back to the ship to see Norwegian Jade leave and spend yet another lazy afternoon on Oceana

We have had pretty good weather with all ports of call being hot and sunny. Today we got away with it as just after we returned to the ship there was a thunderstorm with much reduced visibility!

Nice formal dinner and watched the Headliners perform Dream Lover a song and dance show written by Natalie Lowe which we both thouroughly enjoyed!

We had some on board spend left so we upgraded to super wiz bang internet - since then it has been glacial!